Error Monitoring in a Social Context: Feedback-Related Negativity as a Neural Monitor of Social Deviation and a Predictor of Conformity
Date
2010
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Haverford College. Department of Psychology
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eng
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Haverford users only
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Abstract
The present study aimed to determine if social deviation is processed as an error in the brain and if the brain corrects for this kind of social error. We focused on the feedback-related negativity (FRN) signal, which is a neural signal that is triggered when external feedback indicates that an error has been made. Electroencephalography (EEG) was used to measure this waveform as subjects rated the attractiveness of 120 female faces and were shown average attractiveness scores given by Bryn Mawr and Haverford College students. Group averages that were more inconsistent with the subjects' ratings elicited stronger FRN signals and larger rating changes in the direction of the group average than feedback that was less discrepant. These findings indicate that social deviation is perceived as an error in brain and that the brain adjusts subsequent behavior to correct this error. Thus, this social error monitoring system acts as a neural mechanism that encourages people to adhere to social norms. This study expands on past literature by applying the FRN to social error and subjective tasks, but it also raises questions regarding FRN localization and the effects of personality factors, such as self-esteem, on social error monitoring.